How to Make Coffee Without a Coffee Maker: 11 Best Ways to Make Coffee with Ground Coffee

It's hard to believe that making coffee started 500 years ago, even before the invention of a drip coffee maker. People made tasty coffee without a coffee maker. This means even today, making coffee is possible without the various coffee machines.

You can find various guides online, but we have crafted a handy guide to the best coffee-making options. While making coffee using a pot is possible, it's also possible to make it without a pot. Continue reading to learn more.

How To Brew Coffee Without a Coffee Maker

Brewing coffee using a coffee maker is much easier, especially during rush hours. The coffee machine makes it easy to brew in seconds with a button push. But coffee makers sometimes fail due to breakage or lack of electricity.

When a coffee maker breaks, making your favorite morning cup becomes inconvenient. You'll have to go to coffee-making basics. So, how do you make coffee without coffee makers?

A coffee maker functions by heating water and passing it through ground coffee. The coffee machine has a filter where the water separates from ground coffee while dripping into the coffee pot.

Recreating the same process is possible by using a saucepan, stovetop, or coffee pot. There are various methods to prepare coffee without a coffee maker, but we will look at the following processes;

1. Cowboy Method
2. Use of Coffee Bag
3. The Strainer Method
4. The Faux French Method
5. Microwave Method
6. Swedish Egg Method
7. Cold Brew Method
8. Using a Pot
9. Without a Pot
10. Stovetop Method
11. Turkish Coffee
12. Instant coffee

1. Cowboy Coffee (The Cowboy Method

Cowboy coffee brings back the old-fashioned ways of brewing good coffee, including just boiled coffee beans. Though many handle this method professionally, you can still do it at home.

You'll need

• Ground coffee
• Heat source/ stove to boil water
• Pot or pan
• Water
• Coffee cup/mug

How To Make It

1. Fill your pan with more excess water than usual. By this, we mean that if you use 3 cups of water, add another 3/4 cup. Some water will remain in the pan with the grounds using the saucepan method.
2. Place the pan on the stove to heat. When your water boils, add coffee. We use 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6oz of water for this process.
3. Remove your saucepan from the heat source, then cover it. Wait for a few minutes before you uncover the pan. Once all the grounds settle at the bottom, the coffee is ready to serve.
4. Pour your coffee into the coffee mug or filter it for a smoother brew.

2. The Coffee Bag Method

It's one of the simplest methods to brew amazing coffee without a coffee maker. Think of this method as a Keurig maker without its K-cup. It's similar to using tea bugs, but the difference is the coffee grounds in it. A coffee bag added to hot water makes a delicious coffee. With this method, you don't need a brewer;

You'll need

• Your favorite coffee Bag
• Hot water below boiling point

How To Make It

1. Heat your water using a pot, pan, kettle or microwave. After the water reaches its maximum boiling point, turn the heat off and allow the hot water to cool for almost 30 seconds.
2. Place the coffee bag in your cup, then pour the boiled water over it. Saturate the coffee bag with hot water to your desired level for the best coffee.
3. Leave the coffee bag inside hot water for approximately 4 minutes, then manage your steep time. Higher minutes yield a strong coffee cup, while fewer minutes yield weaker coffee.

3. The Strainer Method

As a coffee lover, you may be in an awkward situation with no coffee maker, filters, or even a small saucepan. But, if you have a strainer, then you still can have the chance for a delicious morning cup of coffee.

This doesn't mean that any old strainer will work. Your strainer should have small holes to prevent coffee grounds from falling into the cup.

You'll need

• A small saucepan or kettle
• water
• Mesh strainer
• Coffee mug

How To Make It

1. Measure your desired water capacity and pour it into the kettle or saucepan.
2. Add your coffee grounds as per your water capacity. Say 6oz of water per 2 tablespoons of coffee. Stir occasionally.
3. Heat water and allow it to boil for two minutes.
4. Remove your saucepan from the heat source.
5. While holding the mesh strainer on top of your coffee cup/ mug, pour hot coffee through it. The strainer holds any grounds coming out of the saucepan. This differs from the saucepan method, which needs the ground to settle.  

4. The Faux French Press Method

The faux French press method is a popular method that many coffee lovers opt for because of its minimal tools. This is one of the simplest processes you can rely on in your kitchen or camping trip for a delicious French press coffee.

You'll need

• Coffee grounds
• Hot water
• Coffee mug
• Deep bowl
• Tablespoon

How To Make It

1. Put coffee grounds into your bowl. Then add your boiled water- We're using 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds per 6oz of water.
2. Allow the mixture to saturate fully. Add the appropriate hot water capacity to your bowl, then leave it for 4 minutes.
3. Use your spoon to press the ground to the bottom once it's settled.
4. While using a spoon to keep the grounds at the bottom of your bowl, pour your coffee into the mug. 

5. The Microwave Method

If your coffee brewer is broken and you don't have time to waste, a microwave is the best method- as long as there is no power outage. It's a simple brewing method that you can rely on.

You'll need

• Coffee grounds
• Water
• Microwave
• Coffee mug

How To Make It

1. Fill the mug with water, then place it in your microwave for 2 minutes.
2. In hot water, add a tablespoon of coffee grounds and stir continuously.
3. Leave the mug for around 4 minutes to allow the coffee grounds to settle at the bottom.
4. Once the grounds settle, enjoy your coffee mixture.

6. Swedish Egg Method

The Swedish Egg method is one of the most popular coffee brewing methods, just like America's coffee. This method doesn't need many tools, not even a traditional coffee maker. However, it includes a unique ingredient; an egg.

You'll need

• Eggs
• Saucepan
• Ice cold water
• Room temperature water
• Ground coffee
• Small bowl or cup
• Filter

How To Make It

1. Boil your water (room temperature) water in a small pot or saucepan- approximately 1 cup per serving
2. When the water almost reaches its boiling point, crack the egg (the shell and York as a whole) into a cup or bowl if it's for several servings. Stir it.
3. Once mixed, add the mixture to the coffee grounds and stir simultaneously
4. Add the slurry to your boiling water and allow it to boil for 3-5 minutes
5. The slurry will start forming clumps and float at the top. At this state, splash 1 cup of ice-cold water, then leave it for a minute for the grounds and chunks to sink at the bottom.
6. Pour the coffee through your filter into the mug. This method gives you a velvety, smooth, and great-tasting coffee. 

7. Cold Brew Method

This cold brew method is excellent, especially if you always have spare time to fix your drink. This is an easy yet only method that needs patience for a quality drink.

You'll need

• Water
• Cheesecloth or any other suitable filtration method
• Refrigerator
• Coarse coffee grounds
• Mason jars
• A waiting period of 14-24 hours

How To Make It

1. In a ratio of 1:5 grounds to water, put your coffee grounds in a mason jar, add water to wet, wait for 30 seconds and add another water.
2. Stir the mixture and seal your mason jar
3. Place the jar in the refrigerator and wait 14-24 hours. However, the waiting period varies depending on your desired coffee strength.
4. Once the expected period elapses, place your strainer over the jar and some filter to hold the grounds. Pour the coffee into another container. TIP: Filtered concentrate obtained can remain in your fridge for around 10 days
5. To serve, pour half of the potion or just a small portion and dilute it with water until you achieve your intensity. 

8. Using a Pot

How To Make Coffee In a Coffee Pot

If your coffee maker is broken or there is no power to make your morning cup of coffee using a coffee maker, a coffee pot can be the best option- that's if you've one in your cupboard. Coffee pot, also called Moka pot, uses the same coffee-making principle as a saucepan method. The difference is this method is more streamlined.

You'll need

• Coffee pot
• stovetop
• Kettle
• Ground coffee beans
• TIP: Use 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6oz of water

How To Make It

1. Heat your coffee pot on the stovetop
2. Boil some water in the kettle
3. Fill your coffee pot bottom layer with hot water from the kettle
4. Add a filter, then fill it with ground coffee
5. Place the top's top section over the filter
6. Turn the stovetop level to medium heat
7. Allow your coffee pot to simmer until its top chamber becomes filled with brewed coffee 

9. Without a Pot

How To Make Coffee Without a Coffee Pot- 3 Easy Ways

You can still make your morning cup if you don't have a coffee pot. There are three distinct methods to use.

1. The Saucepan Method

In this article, we're using a measure of 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6oz of water. So, mix the coffee and water in a saucepan. Then set its boiling to a medium-high setting.

Stir and let it boil for a few minutes.

Remove the saucepan from the stovetop or burner. Then you can use a strainer to separate the grounds and liquid.

2. Create a Coffee Pouch

Making a coffee pouch is easy, especially if you have a tea bag or coffee filters. The process is simple. Fill an empty tea bag or coffee filter with coffee grounds, then tighten it securely.

Place the coffee pouch at the bottom of the mug and add hot water directly to it. Allow coffee and water to mix for some minutes before you discard the coffee pouch. Follow the same step for every cup of coffee you make.

3. Make a pour-over coffee.

Making a pour-over coffee is also a good option and only needs some household items.

You'll need the following;

1. A thin piece of cloth (cheesecloth)/coffee filter
2. Rubber bands or clothespins
3. Jar with lid
4. Attach the filter or cloth to the mouth of the jar to dip in some inches, then tighten it.

How To Make It

1. Measure the coffee grounds, then put them in a makeshift pouch.
2. Add boiled water over the grounds until they are wet enough. Allow them to settle for a few minutes before adding the remaining water.
3. Though many do not consider such a technique, it's best if your coffee pot is broken.

10. Using a Stove Top

How to make a Stovetop Coffee

The stovetop method is a popular traditional Italian brewing method. Here is a step to step guide on making the most out of a stovetop coffee maker.

You will need

• Kettle
• Stovetop
• Medium fine-ground coffee
• Cooker hobs
• Tea towel
• Regarding the ratio of ground coffee to water, we recommend 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds per 6oz of water.

Here is a step to step guide to the stovetop method

1. Bring your kettle to boil, then allow it to rest for approximately one minute
2. Fill the stovetop bottom chamber with boiling water.

NB: Using hot water means the coffee brewing process begins immediately. That's because if the water is heating, the stovetop's hot metal causes a loss of flavor through vapor.

3. Fill the coffee chamber of the stovetop with medium fine ground coffee.
4. Level off your coffee
5. Drop the coffee chamber into the stovetop again
6. By using a tea towel, screw your stovetop from top and bottom together
7. On high heat, place the stovetop on the hob
8. Once the coffee starts bubbling out, turn off the hob. The residual steam pressure will push water enough to brew the remaining coffee.

11. Turkish Coffee

Well, this is not the same process used in Turkish coffee houses, but the procedure is close to that. With this Turkish method, expect a thick, deep, and foamy brew. This method is similar to cowboy coffee, but it needs more technicality.

How To Make It

For each cup of coffee, use 6oz cold water.

1. Heat the water (not to boil), then add 2 teaspoons of ground coffee. If you take sugar with coffee, you can add it at this stage.
2. This process may take a while before boiling as you'll be using low heat. If it's almost boiling, remove your pot from the stove, skim the foam from it, and place it in a cup. Return it to your stove.
3. Once it starts boiling again, pour half of it into your cups and return it to boil again.
4. Leave it to cook for 30 seconds, then pour the remaining coffee into the cups. The coffee grounds will settle at the bottom of the cup. Allow it to settle for some minutes before drinking.

12. Instant Coffee

How to make Instant Coffee

If none of the methods above works for you, then an instant coffee may be all you need. Instant coffee has been around for a century because of its convenient nature. Though many coffee lovers disapprove of its bitter taste, it may be all you need for that urgent coffee drink.

Making instant coffee is simple to make and also lasts longer for storage. Here is what to do;

1. Put 1 or 2 tablespoons of instant coffee granules in your coffee cup
2. Boil water in your kettle, pot, sauce, microwave, etc.
3. Add the boiled water to the coffee granules, then allow it to dissolve until there are no granules at the bottom of your cup. Then it's ready to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use instead of a coffee maker?

You can use a pot, pan, or kettle. You can also learn how to make coffee in a microwave.

Can you make coffee without a coffee filter?

Yes, Making delicious cold-brew coffee without a filter is possible. There are coffee filter substitutes, such as paper towels and napkins, reusable tea bags, dish towels or cloth napkins, or a no-filter option.

Is boiling coffee harmful?

Conclusion

If you are out camping, or your coffee maker is broken, or there is no power, there are many ways you can make your favorite coffee cup. Making coffee without a coffee maker is simple, and you may learn something new about leftover coffee grounds. Using instant coffee, filtered coffee, saucepan, stovetops, and pots are just a few ways on how to make coffee without a coffee maker. Our guide comes in handy for tasty and easy coffee-making options without a coffee maker. Why not bookmark it?

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